Chapter 879: Don’t Go Anywhere Else, Stay With Us
Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn stopped walking.
Beside the path they were taking, a drunkard sat slumped on the steps in front of a building, singing.
Lee Ahn thought to herself.
‘What kind of story does he have, to be singing so sorrowfully like that?’
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk, who had been listening to the song with her, spoke.
“He’s insanely bad at singing.”
At those words, Lee Ahn burst out laughing. No, how could he be judging singing skill in a situation like this?
Courtesans came out and took the drunkard inside.
“You said you were going out for some air, what are you doing here?”
At that moment, someone on the opposite side shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Do you know who I am?! Tell the Pavilion Mistress to come out! Now!”
Watching the scene, Lee Ahn said,
“Do you think he even knows who the Pavilion Mistress here is?”
The place where Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn stood was none other than inside the Sky Flower Pavilion.
While traveling across the Central Plains, they had come to meet the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress.
The drunkard who had been shouting picked a fight with the two of them as well.
“Hey! Who are you? What are you staring at? Who do you think you are?”
Did he even know who this person was?
“No, we’re leaving, we’re going. Sorry for looking!”
Lee Ahn pulled Geom Mugeuk along and moved.
“Let’s go, let’s not get dragged into that exhausting life too.”
Behind them, the drunkard continued shouting, and courtesans came out to calm him down and take him inside. Unless it was a serious disturbance, martial artists were not deployed.
“Ugh, no matter how much money I make, I could never do this kind of business. How do they watch that every day?”
“And yet you’d probably be the best at it if you did.”
If it were Geom Mugeuk, he would have probably sat down with that singing drunkard and sung together.
Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn entered the inner compound where the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress resided.
They could sense martial artists hidden throughout the compound.
There had been guards when they visited before, but those concealed now were far more skilled. The Sky Flower Pavilion had steadily built its foundation as it overcame various trials.
As they opened the final door of the inner compound and entered, two unexpected people greeted them.
Two Faceless Swordsmen stood there.
Geom Mugeuk could recognize who they were even without them removing their masks.
They were the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman and the Seventeenth Beauty. Seeing that the Seventeenth Beauty also wore a Faceless Swordsman mask, it seemed she had become one as well. Beside her pure white mask, the characters “十七” were written.
“Welcome, Young Cult Leader.”
The two greeted them politely. Their eyes toward the Young Cult Leader were filled with goodwill. After all, the one who had decisively connected their love was none other than Geom Mugeuk.
She was especially grateful to the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman. When she had gone to Geom Mugeuk and poured out her concerns, the advice he gave had been of great help.
She had been troubled over whether it was right to make her walk the path of a Faceless Swordsman alongside her.
—At least try living as a Faceless Swordsman once without regrets, then run away together.
After that, the Seventeenth Beauty’s life as a Faceless Swordsman had begun. Contrary to the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman’s worries, the Seventeenth Beauty was enjoying it. Unexpectedly, the life behind a mask suited her well.
“Why are you two here? Were you dispatched?”
He thought the Evil Smiling Demon had sent them to protect the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress.
But from the building behind them, someone unexpected walked out.
“I’m the one who was dispatched.”
Surprisingly, it was the Evil Smiling Demon himself.
“No, Soma, when did you arrive?”
Behind the mask, the Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes curved brightly.
“It’s been a while.”
It was clear that the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman and the Seventeenth Beauty had followed him to serve him.
“I heard the Young Cult Leader cherishes those two quite a bit. I brought them out to get some fresh air.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at the two and nodded.
“They’re a fine pair of youth, aren’t they?”
At that moment, another person walked out from behind and said,
“Would they be as pleasing to the eye as the Young Cult Leader and this martial artist?”
The one who followed was none other than the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress. Just as the two Faceless Swordsmen were in their youth, to her eyes, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn were also at their most beautiful time.
“Welcome, Young Cult Leader.”
The Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress, whom they were seeing after a long time, wore splendid makeup and elegant attire, but above all, her expression was bright.
“You’ve become even more beautiful and brighter, Pavilion Mistress.”
The Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress glanced briefly at the Evil Smiling Demon and replied,
“How could I not?”
How could one not know she meant she was happy because he had come?
Lee Ahn greeted the Evil Smiling Demon and the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you both.”
The Evil Smiling Demon nodded in acknowledgment, while the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress warmly attended to Lee Ahn. She held Lee Ahn’s hand and greeted her with delight.
“I’ve missed you, martial artist Lee. You’ve become even more beautiful since I last saw you.”
In truth, her appearance had not changed. But during their travels, Lee Ahn’s martial prowess had improved, and her aura and presence had transformed.
“Thank you, Pavilion Mistress. I missed you too.”
As if that wasn’t all, Geom Mugeuk stepped in and said,
“You don’t know how much she insisted we come see you.”
Since it was true, Lee Ahn did not deny it.
The Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress always spoke kindly to her. Lee Ahn knew it wasn’t only because of Geom Mugeuk, which made the Pavilion Mistress someone special to her as well.
When they had first met, Lee Ahn had still not overcome the side effects of the All-Body Petrification Technique. Even so, the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress had recognized her true worth.
She was also the one who told her to value herself as someone destined for great things.
It wasn’t solely because of that, but for some reason, during this journey, Lee Ahn had strongly felt she needed to see her at least once. It was the first time she had felt such an emotion.
As if she already knew Lee Ahn’s heart, the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress looked at her with understanding eyes and said,
“Martial artist Lee, shall we leave the men to themselves and go for a walk?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
Geom Mugeuk shouted toward the Pavilion Mistress as she walked away.
“Leave the men to themselves! That’s exactly what we men love to hear the most! Please say it often!”
At his shout from behind, the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress smiled.
“The Young Cult Leader is as consistent as ever, isn’t he?”
At Lee Ahn’s words, the Pavilion Mistress gave an unexpected reply.
“He seems quite different to me.”
“The Young Cult Leader?”
She nodded, but did not explain what seemed different. Instead, she asked about the journey.
“Are you enjoying your travels?”
Lee Ahn smiled and nodded. How could she not enjoy a journey taken with him?
Perhaps she had wanted to see the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress because she knew that, of all people, she would understand her feelings best.
No.
In truth, she had wanted to ask her.
‘What should I do?’
But the words did not leave her mouth.
“For some reason, I kept thinking I wanted to see you these past few days. So I pestered the Young Cult Leader and changed our travel plans to come here.”
Looking at the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress, Lee Ahn added,
“I think I just wanted to eat your home-cooked food.”
Back when she had been confined in a safe house, she had tasted the Pavilion Mistress’s cooking.
At that, the Pavilion Mistress rolled up her sleeves.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to show my skills again.”
The two women smiled at each other.
The Pavilion Mistress, who had been looking at Lee Ahn, lifted her gaze toward the stars in the night sky. A mysterious glint passed through her eyes.
“Martial artist Lee is drawing closer and closer to her destiny.”
For a moment, Lee Ahn flinched. From the first time they met, the Pavilion Mistress had spoken as if she could see her destiny.
“I don’t really know what my destiny is.”
The Pavilion Mistress smiled and said,
“No, you can feel it.”
Lee Ahn could not deny it. When suggesting the journey, Geom Mugeuk had said:
—To find the real Lee Ahn.
Lee Ahn knew. Those words signaled a change in her relationship with Geom Mugeuk. Whatever it was, it would be tied to her destiny.
The Pavilion Mistress gave her courage.
“Believe in yourself. You will play a greater role than anyone else in this world.”
Lee Ahn smiled. It would be a lie to say such words didn’t feel like a burden.
“You don’t know how much strength your words have given me.”
“I simply speak what I see and feel.”
What, exactly, had she seen in her?
Lee Ahn lifted her head.
Far away, atop the roof of the tallest building of the Sky Flower Pavilion, Geom Mugeuk and the Evil Smiling Demon stood.
The two stood side by side, gazing at the night view spread out in the distance.
“Are you enjoying your travels?”
“Yes, it’s been fun. I’ve met past acquaintances, and I’ve also confirmed that more than half of the Central Plains Gourmet Exploration is full of fake famous restaurants.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s joke, the Evil Smiling Demon smiled. Then Geom Mugeuk added one more thing.
“In truth, I came on this journey to find an answer.”
The Evil Smiling Demon could more or less guess what the matter was. Geom Mugeuk had been traveling alone with Lee Ahn, so it could only be something concerning her.
“And have you found your answer?”
Geom Mugeuk slowly nodded.
“Yes.”
At first, when Geom Mugeuk had regressed, he had intended to let Lee Ahn go. He had even told her to leave. He had tried his best not to give his heart to her.
Because in this life as well, he had intended to live alone. He had thought that loving someone while carrying that dark and painful past life was not courtesy toward the other person.
However, as he lived his life after regression, his heart gradually changed. His relationship with his father, his relationships with the Demon Supremes, his relationships with his friends. As precious bonds increased, it seemed desire had grown as well.
The decisive reason was this:
Perhaps… could he become a good father like his own?
Even though he said he had found his answer, the Evil Smiling Demon saw hesitation in Geom Mugeuk.
“What worries you?”
An unexpected answer came from Geom Mugeuk.
“Am I allowed to dream of happiness?”
It did not suit someone who could dream of ruling the world.
The Evil Smiling Demon knew where this question came from.
The out-of-place darkness he had occasionally felt from Geom Mugeuk—this question had risen from that unfathomable abyss.
“What are you afraid of?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk answered.
“I’m afraid that by being too greedy, a great misfortune like the Heavenly Killing Star might come again. The Heavenly Killing Star has already come, so perhaps something even greater might follow.”
The Evil Smiling Demon did not ask why that was excessive greed. Instead, he said,
“Tell it to come.”
“!”
“Aren’t we the ones who deal with misfortune and darkness better than anyone else? Tell it not to go anywhere else. Tell it to come to us.”
He did not say, “tell it to come to the Young Cult Leader,” but rather, “tell it to come to us.”
Understanding that it meant they would face any darkness together, a smile spread across Geom Mugeuk’s face.
“So, if the Young Cult Leader becomes happy, it might end up being another way of saving the Martial World.”
Was there anyone who could say “you may be happy” in such a remarkable way?
Perhaps that was why he could speak words he had buried deep in his heart so comfortably.
“Then shall I trust you, Soma, and try becoming happy?”
—
“This is the place the Pavilion Mistress told us about.”
The Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress had recommended a beautiful place nearby for the two of them to walk.
It truly was beautiful.
Willow trees hundreds of years old draped their branches like hair over the lake, and moonlight filtered through the leaves.
There, the stars of the sky seemed to have shattered and sparkled upon the water. Hundreds, thousands of fireflies flew along the lakeside where beautiful flowers bloomed.
Standing in that place filled with the scent of grass, water, and aged trees, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn were captivated by the scenery.
“It’s so beautiful.”
At Lee Ahn’s admiration, Geom Mugeuk nodded. Even for him, it was his first time seeing such a sight.
When Lee Ahn extended her hand, a firefly descended and landed on her fingertip. Its light appeared and disappeared as if it were breathing.
As she quietly watched it, Lee Ahn suddenly asked,
“Are you having fun traveling with me, Young Cult Leader?”
“I am.”
“In what way?”
“Why? Does it seem like I’m traveling with you even though I’m not having fun?”
“You’re someone who always keeps your promises.”
When Lee Ahn slightly lifted her hand, the firefly flew away from her fingertip.
“If it’s because of me, you can go back now.”
“I don’t want to.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m truly enjoying this journey. Even if you say you’re not enjoying it, I’ll continue because I am. If you think it’s unfair, then I should’ve been born the Young Cult Leader.”
Lee Ahn was truly grateful that he said that.
“I’m not upset at all that you weren’t born the Young Cult Leader, but I am a little upset that you were.”
At last, Lee Ahn felt it was time to ask this question.
“Why are you so good to me? This will be the last time I ask.”
Long ago, they had jokingly promised she would only ask this question five times. She had already asked it four times.
In truth, his kindness could never be counted in merely five instances. Yet this was the fifth question she had treasured and saved until the very end.
“I won’t ask again after this.”
Once, Geom Mugeuk had jokingly answered that it was because he intended to use her for life. Another time, he had said that after fighting with his brother, he had suddenly thought of her.
And now, he felt it was time to answer properly.
“There are many reasons. Do you think you can remember them all?”
Lee Ahn nodded.
“Even if I forget the mnemonic verse of the Soaring Sword Art, I won’t forget what you say from now on.”
At those words, Geom Mugeuk laughed and said,
“The first reason is because you’re good at joking like this.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“Because no matter what I say, you nod beside me and take my side.”
For some reason, Lee Ahn refuted that.
“If the other person is the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, even someone with a broken neck would nod and take your side.”
Geom Mugeuk offered another reason.
“You also have the perseverance to never give up once you set your mind on something.”
She had shown that during the process of learning the Soaring Sword Art. Every time he saw her, she had been training in martial arts.
“Who would give up after obtaining the Soaring Sword Art? Even the laziest person in the world would lose sleep over it.”
Despite her continued rebuttals, Geom Mugeuk kept listing reasons.
“More than anything, I like your kindness.”
“You’ve been completely fooled.”
Lee Ahn spoke of something she had never mentioned before.
“It’s because of the side effects of the All-Body Petrification Technique. To survive, I had to become kind. That way, I wouldn’t be abandoned by you, Young Cult Leader. Back then, I wasn’t even ten years old yet. It’s embarrassing, but since then, kindness has been one of my survival methods.”
Lee Ahn’s eyes trembled.
Geom Mugeuk could feel it. She was trying to push him away, yet this was not truly rejection.
On the surface, it seemed as though she were erecting an iron wall between them. In truth, however, she was using every ounce of her strength to tear down the wall that stood in their way.
Giving a hundred reasons, and countering all hundred of them.
That was her way of trying to break the wall.
“That’s all, right? When it comes down to it, there aren’t that many reasons, are there?”
Just as Lee Ahn turned her gaze back to the fireflies,
In all the years, Geom Mugeuk had startled her countless times, but never like this moment.
The words that came from his mouth were only a single sentence.
“My lady.”